A little wet, a little sweat, and a lot of fun! 

The Pittsburgh Paddlefish are a competitive but welcoming dragon boat team that paddles three times a week at the Three Rivers Rowing facility in Millvale.  We practice for fun, fitness and in preparation for races.  When we aren’t on the water, we workout in our indoor facilities with paddling and rowing ergs, weights and core exercises. The team is open to adults who enjoy being on the water, the pursuit of fitness, and the camaraderie of group workouts and activities.

Come join us and try dragon boating for yourself! 

The Dragon Boat Quest – Teamwork. Camaraderie. Power.

What is dragon boating?  Twenty paddlers, blades ripping through the water, synchronized. The drummer pounding out the rhythm, or is that the dragon’s heartbeat? The helmsman calling commands. This is dragon boating. Eyes in the boat, watch the stroke, harder, reach out. Pittsburgh’s beautiful skyline in view. Stop, breathe, enjoy the sight. Start again. We are in training. Training for the race, training for the fun, training for the fitness.

Benefits of Membership

With membership to Three Rivers Rowing and the Pittsburgh Paddlefish, you receive:

  1. Access to Lambert Boathouse on Washington’s Landing and the Millvale Boathouse
  2. Gym access at two boathouses
  3. River access from docks maintained by TRRA
  4. Use of dragon boats and outrigger canoes, kayaks, paddles, and PFDs
  5. Dragon boat knowledge and experience with coaching and opportunities to drum and steer
  6. Winter workouts during the indoor season with personalized attention from our peer coaches
  7. Improved endurance, strength, and mental focus
  8. Racing opportunities on a local, national, and international level
  9. Teamwork. Camaraderie. Power.

The Paddlefish have developed strong paddling skills and gained international racing experience. Paddlefish team members have raced in a number of world and US national championship events including:

  • 2005 World Dragon Boat Championships in Berlin, Germany
  • 2007 World Dragon Boat Championships in Sydney, Australia
  • 2008 World Club Crew Championships in Penang, Malaysia
  • 2009 World Dragon Boat Championships in Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2010 U.S. Club Crew National Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Chattanooga, TN
  • 2011 World Dragon Boat Championships in Tampa, Florida
  • 2012 World Club Crew Championships in Hong Kong
  • 2013 World Dragon Boat Championships in Hungary
  • 2015 World Dragon Boat Championships in Welland, ON
  • 2019 World Dragon Boat Championships in Thailand
Come join us and try dragon boating for yourself!
Practice on the water is April to November and is weather dependent. Indoor practice is November to April.  We practice at the Millvale Boathouse (near the Millvale Marina).

Water Practice

MON & Wed: 6:30 PM

SATURDAY: 9:00 AM

Location: Millvale Boathouse

Indoor Practice (Winter)

MON & Wed: 6:00 – 7:30 PM

SATURDAY: 9:00 – 10:30 AM

Location: Millvale Boathouse